Wind-wheel



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

S. L. SMOLLE'Y 85 W. H. BONWELL, Jr.

- WIND WHEEL.

N0. 474,308. Patented May 3, 1892.

Wfine'sses RM M (No Model.) v 2 Shets-Sh'et 2. S. L. SMOLLEY &-'W. H.BONWELL, Jr.

WIND WHEEL.

Patented May 3,1892.

' Unrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SILVANUS L. SMOLLEY AND WILLIAM H. BONWELL, JR, OF BROOKVILLE, INDIANA.

WIND-WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 474,308, dated May 3,1892.

Application filed March 10, 1891. Serial No. 384,666- (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, SILvANUs L. SMOLLEY and WILLIAM H. BoNWELL, J r.,of Brookville, in the county of Franklin and State of Indiana, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Wind-Wheels, which improve- 111out is fully set forth in the following specification andaccompanyingdrawin gs,in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of ourimproved wind-wheel; Fig. 2, the circular curb attached to the top ofthe tripod-frame; Fig. 3, a top or plan view of the curb, the ring orhub within the curb, the transverse arms, the sail-shafts, and thecranks attached thereto; Fig. 4, a perspective view of the same, andFig. 5 a detail showing the method of attaching the adj ustabletransverse braces to the tripod-frame.

Our invention relates to improvements in wind-wheels; and its object isto produce a substantial and durable device, simple in construction,effective in operation, easily controlled, not liable to derangement,and capable of utilizing moderate power to the best advantage.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A designates the tripod orsupporting frame, which is made of galvanized-iron pipe. The lower endsare anchored to a suitable founda tion and the upper ends secured in acircular curb B. The tripod-frame is made rigid by adjustable transversebraces C, which are also made of galvanized-iron pipe having their endsprovided with jaws D, which when adj usted in the desired position, aresecurely clamped by screw-bolts. The main shaft E has its lower endjournaled in a bench F, and by means of spur-wheels and a crank-shaft Gtransmits motion to a pump or other machinery. A cap H, provided withlugs I, is mounted on top of the main shaft and carries a series ofstay-rods J, the lower ends of which are similarly attached to lugsprojecting from plates K. The sail-shafts L turn freely in the plates,which at the same time are prevented from sliding inwardly on the shaftsby collars M. Horizontal stay-rods N serve to hold the outer ends of thesail-shafts in proper relative positions. The sails O are made ofgalvanized iron in the form of hollow cones and are rigidly attached byplates and rivets to the sailshafts, which are journaled near theirinner ends in lugs P on the transverse arms Q. These arms are integraland are keyed to the main shaft at their intersection. A ring B, throughwhich centrally the shaft E passes, is also made integral with the armsand forms a hub or center which revolves within the curb B. The innerends of the sail-shafts are provided with cranks S, which are operatedby connecting-rods T, attached to a sliding sleeve U on the main shaftnear its lower end. It will be understood that the sails are so balancedon their respective shafts that they are normally held in operativeposition, and that the movement of the wheel is not retarded orotherwise affected by changes in the direction of the wind. The cranks Son the sail-shafts are so arranged that when it is desired to stop thewheel the sleeve U on the main shaft is shifted upwardly and the sailsare inverted. It is manifest that the force of the wind may be easilyregulated by the same means.

A simple automatic appliance may be attached to the sleeve and theposition of the sails thereby adjusted so as to increase or diminish thepressure, according to the demand. If more than ordinary power berequired, the main shaft may be made longer and another series of sailsattached thereto, as shown in Fig. 1. The working parts of the wheel areprotected from rain, snow, and sleet by a hood V, suitably attached tothe main shaft.

All parts of the structure are made of galvanized iron, and its strengthand durability are thus assured.

We are aware that it is not new to use substantially conical sails in awind-wheel, and

that the adjustment of the sails of a windwheel has been made by asliding sleeve and rods connecting with the wheel also, that heretoforeprovision has been made for the automatic adjustment of the sails in andout of the wind.

WVhat we claim as new is 1. In combination with the tripod-frame A,having secured to its upper end the curb B, and the main shaft E, thering R, having integral therewith the arms Q, carrying by means of thelugs P the sail-shafts L, said ring being placed within the hub B andsaid shaft passing centrally through said ring.

2. In a wind-wheel, and in combination with the supporting-frame andcentral shaft, as de In testimony that we claim the foregoing wescribed, the cap H on said shaft, the stay-rods have hereunto set ourhands, this 2d day of 10 J, connecting the same with the sail-shafts,March, 1891, in the presence of witnesses.

the reversible conical sails O, the sail-shaft SILVANUS L. SMOLLEY.

5 carried by arms Q, the ring R, and the curb WVILLIAM H. BONVELL, JR.

B on the main shaft, to which said curb is se- Witnesses: cured, andcrank S, and means for operating WM. M. MOOLEERY,

the same. J AMES A. RODMAN.

